10 Tasty Side Dishes for Your Holiday Ham
'Tis the season for family celebrations and, of course, a lot of food. Holiday ham is not hard to master—you either like the meat or you don't. What is a bit harder to perfect is locking down the perfect sides to serve with the main accents of the meal. So, what exactly are the best side dishes for ham?
Here, we've compiled a list of 10 side dish recipes that complement a succulent ham.
Crispy Rosemary Potatoes
Meat and potatoes are made for each other, yes? There's a reason roasted potatoes are the go-to side dish to something as hearty as a few slices of thick ham—it makes for a satiating, warming meal.
Get our recipe for Crispy Rosemary Potatoes.
Gazpacho
You may look at this at first glance and think: gazpacho, really? Yes! Chances are you'll be eating lots of warm foods at the dinner table, so wouldn't it be nice to have one side dish that's just a touch refreshing yet still savory? Gazpacho, which is a chilled tomato-based soup, pairs quite well with ham. Whether you want to cut your slices of ham into little cubes or shreds to put on top of the soup or keep it fully intact on the side with a piece of bread, you truly can't go wrong.
Get our recipe for Healthy Gazpacho Soup.
Bruschetta
Bruschetta goes well with just about anything, doesn't it? One downside to having bruschetta as an appetizer to a pasta dish is that it's just too many carbs. Have you ever eaten an appetizer and then afterward thought: well I don't need my main meal anymore. Pair a protein, such as a thick slice of ham, with a piece or two of bruschetta for a nice balance of carbs and protein.
Get our recipe for The Best Bruschetta, Two Different Ways.
Roasted Butternut Squash
Butternut squash is in season during the fall and winter months, which means it's at its peak flavor. So that easily makes it the perfect side dish to any main meal during the holidays. The fresh sage leaves on this vegetable add another element of flavor to this already tasty food—pair with ham, and you've got an award-winning meal.
Get our recipe for Sweet Roasted Butternut Squash.
Stuffed Tomatoes
A piece of warm tomato with feta cheese and bread crumbs is one side dish that we can't wait to have this holiday season. Ham, and truly any meat, is compatible with this juicy side.
Get our recipe for Vegetarian-Friendly Stuffed Tomatoes Recipe.
Smashed Potatoes
So you've heard of mashed potatoes, but how about smashed potatoes? Ditch the cream and butter in this dish and instead, boil little Yukon Gold potato spuds until tender. Once they cool, take your palm and gently push down on them until they flatten. Grab a cast-iron skillet and sautée until they become brown and crispy. You may never go back to basic mashed potatoes again.
Get our recipe for Healthy Smashed Potatoes.
Mozzarella Spiedini
This isn't your traditional spiedini with fried cheese and pieces of beef on skewers, but rather a meatless grilled version. This is a wonderful side dish for ham between the gooey cheese and the roasted rosemary sprigs.
Get our recipe for Mozzarella Spiedini.
Mac and Cheese
Warm and gooey, you can never go wrong with mac and cheese as a side, and we think it makes for a solid pairing with glazed holiday ham, too. Our recipe is so good, you'll throw out the boxed version you have for this creamy, dreamy dish.
Get our recipe for Copycat Cracker Barrel Mac and Cheese.
Grilled Ratatouille Salad
Disclaimer: This is not what a traditional ratatouille salad looks like; if you've seen the movie Ratatouille you would know! We created a version of this dish that resembles a vegetable scramble rather than the typical slices of vegetables that round out a casserole dish. Regardless, no matter what form it comes in, it pairs well with ham.
Get our recipe for Grilled Ratatouille Salad.
Smoky Baked Beans
Of course, the absolute best side dish for ham is baked beans. Come on, pork and beans? It's the quintessential duo. Don't be afraid to bring this smoky dish to the dining table this year.
Get our recipe for Smoky Baked Beans with Bacon.
